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Topic: Currently listening, part 1 (Read 941935 times)

It's funny how much I've enjoyed the resurgence of cassette culture. I completely recognize the limitations of the medium - heck, I can't even play tapes in my car anymore - but there's something oddly fun about getting a box of tapes in the mail after all these years of CDs and records (not to mention digital files). I've definitely picked up more tapes in the last year than any other medium. There are some great cassette-centered labels out there; two of my favorites are Tranquility Tapes (http://tranquilitytapes.bandcamp.com/) and Constellation Tatsu (http://ctatsu.bandcamp.com/), both dealing in borderline-New Agey and bedroom-synth drone and ambient exploration. I'm particularly fond of Cask's self-titled album on Tranquility.

Thanks for the recommendation of Jaja's "Stars." That's satisfying a craving I didn't know I had.

Interesting to hear from those who still appreciate cassettes. I always took good care of my cassettes, but STILL they got "eaten" more times than I care to remember. I also cleaned the cassette head, but never did clean the capstans, (I believe they were called). Perhaps that's the source of my problems.

Also I had several cassettes where the felt pad fell off of the copper band that supported the tape. Grrr...

From a business standpoint alone, it seems unwise to sell a product in a format that, right off the bat, eliminates maybe 80% of your potential clientele. On the other hand, these little cassette music labels keep chugging right along, so there must be a big enough market to support them.

Yair Elazar Glotman - Northern GulfsSuper interesting album from Glacial Movements. It combines three things I love: isolationist ambiance, field recordings, and Geiger counter-like clicks and static. This is a true stand-out album; the last track in particular, Home Port, is a jewel.

playing Periskop again... from his 40 album release... massively amazing stuff. I still haven't heard all 40 - many I've heard over and over because I love them and just don't move on. Discovering some of the others in more depth.

Yair Elazar Glotman - Northern GulfsSuper interesting album from Glacial Movements. It combines three things I love: isolationist ambiance, field recordings, and Geiger counter-like clicks and static. This is a true stand-out album; the last track in particular, Home Port, is a jewel.

When friends or co-workers bitch that there is no good music anymore I usually just punch them in the face. Seriously, there is a ton of great music being released constantly. You just have to look & listen.

Daniel W. J. Mackenzie - Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black EyelidA pretty neat release by Dan Mackenzie/Ekca Liena. I think this was self-released a few years ago, then Facture/Fluid Audio released a limited edition (70 or so copies?) version in March, and, when that sold out, Mackenzie made a digital version available online for a 'pay what you wish' rate. Mostly piano and various forms of experimentation. Not a memorable release, but a solid piece of modern experimental composition.Buy/Listen: https://ekcaliena.bandcamp.com/album/teeth-sleep-under-winking-black-eyelid

Castleview - OceanscapeThis is my favorite of the various Castleview albums I've heard. It feels a bit dark to me, although I don't know if that was the intention. One of the things I appreciate about it is that it is easy to sense the ocean-like depth of the work when primed to expect it via the title, but that specific theme isn't made explicit in the work (i.e., there are not obvious samples of waves crashing).Buy/Listen: https://castleview.bandcamp.com/album/oceanscape